Information on this page applies to the examination regulations of 2021 only (enrolled in or after 2021)!

The Master’s in Political Science (ER 2021) is comprised of 120 ECTS credit points over two years (four semesters in full time). It consists of the core section, the specialisation section, and the supplementary section as well as the degree thesis.

Core section

The core section (36 ECTS) is composed of three core modules and three methods modules.

The core modules are introductory modules. With the exception of the module in International Relations, they consist of lectures with a written exam at the end of the term. In International Relations, students take a seminar instead. Several seminars may be available, but students can only complete one seminar per module.
Students choose three from the five modules available in this section.

The module Special Aspects of Social Sciences is a module for credit transfer from other universities (for summer schools etc.). Credits obtained abroad can however also be easily transferred in the supplementary section.

The methods modules are mandatory. They cover Research Design, Quantitative Methods, and Qualitative Methods.

Students take:
•    Three core modules from the five modules offered (6 ECTS each)
•    Three mandatory method modules (6 ECTS each)

Specialisation section

The specialisation section (30 ECTS) consists of the advanced mandatory modules SpM Special Topics Political Science I and II as well as  in political science as well as SpM Applied Theories and Methods I and II and a research seminar.

The Special Topics I and II modules consist of advanced seminars. Students must complete both modules. Within each module, there are usually a number of seminars to choose from, but students can only complete one seminar per module. Special Topics I covers Political Institutions and Representation; Special Topics II covers Comparative Political Economy and International Relations.

The Applied Theories and Methods I and II modules consist of research projects. Students must complete both modules. Within each module, there are usually a number of seminars to choose from, but students can only complete one seminar per module. Applied Theories and Methods I covers Political Institutions and Representation; Applied Theories and Methods II covers Comparative Political Economy and International Relations.

In the Research Seminar, students present a draft of their Master’s thesis.

Students take:
•    Special Topics modules I and II, with different elective options (6 ECTS each)
•    Applied Theories and Methods modules I and II, with different elective options (6 ECTS each)
•    The Research Seminar (6 ECTS)

Supplementary section

In the supplementary section, students choose from a wide selection of courses in neighbouring academic disciplines from the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Alternatively, the supplementary section can be used to transfer credits from studies abroad or receive credits for an internship that complements the study programme.

Students need a total of 24 ECTS to complete the supplementary section. They choose either one group of 24 credits or combine two groups of 12 credits each. Groups usually consist of several modules. There are usually elective options within groups as well.

See the module catalogue to learn about the contents of individual modules and whether they are offered in the summer or winter term. If you have further questions about specific groups, you can ask the contacts listed below.

Groups of 24 credits (students choose one)

Groups of 12 credits each (students choose two)